Political Expert Says Cruz Faux-Filibuster Will Only Strengthen His Conservative Core

Many political experts are calling U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz' prolonged speech a "faux-filibuster" because it doesn’t prevent anything from happening.

Southern Methodist University Professor Cal Jillson said that while this move appeals to the conservative tea party base, it alienates Cruz from a large majority of Republicans who are more moderate.

"Right now he’s trying to solidify his standing with the tea party element of the Republican electorate figuring if he can do that later on he can win back the moderate Republicans and Independents, but there is a danger that he will simply make himself look silly and therefore not be able to win back the confidence of voters," Jillson said.

Jillson said Republicans know that if there is a government shutdown related to an effort to "defund Obamacare" their party will take the heat.

"And that may cost them in the 2014 midterm elections and they blame Ted Cruz for not taking that into account," he said.

Jillson said many Republicans who are running in Texas’ statewide elections -- like gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott -- put themselves in danger by aligning themselves with Cruz’s efforts.

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The U.S. House of Representatives passed a stopgap budget that removed "Obamacare" funding last week. Now, lacking the votes in the Senate and under threat of presidential veto, the government moves slowly towards, by most accounts, a shutdown.

Original Post (Sept. 24): Tea Party favorite Sen. Ted Cruz seems to be taking a play from another Texas politico: Wendy Davis.

On the floor of the U.S. Senate moments ago, Sen. Cruz announced he will deliver extended, filibuster-style remarks on his support for defunding President Obama’s signature package of health care reforms, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.